MISENHEIMER, NC – The No. 14 Pfeiffer women’s lacrosse team (4-1) won its second straight one-goal game, this time defeating Lindenwood (4-2) by a final score of 7-6 on a cool Thursday afternoon at NE Lefko Field. Pfeiffer’s defense limited a potent Lindenwood offense to 11 less goals than their season average and Rachel McCarthy improved to 4-0 in goal by making four saves.

The offense of the Falcons was led by freshman Stephanie Athens and junior Ashleigh Kassab who each netted a hat trick. Sarah Daly scored Pfeiffer’s other goal and Kristina Anderson handed out two assists.

Melissa Menchella scored a game-high four goals in a losing effort for the Lions.

Daly put the Falcons on the scoreboard just 2:54 into the contest on an unassisted score. However, Lindenwood rallied for three straight scores, two by Menchella to surge ahead 3-1. With 13:54 left in the half, Kassab scored her first of the game on a great pass from Anderson. Neither team would score in the final 13:54 and the game went into halftime with the Lions ahead by one.

Athens netted her first two scores of the game 1:01 apart to start the second half which gave Pfeiffer the lead at 4-3. Menchella’s third score evened the game but Pfeiffer’s Kassab and Athens scored back-to-back to give the hosts a 6-4 lead. The team’s traded a goal each until Menchella’s final score with 2:59 to play cut the lead to one. Pfeiffer was able to withstand a furious comeback attempt by the Lions to come away with their fourth win of the season.

The final stats were about as even as the final score. Pfeiffer held a slight 17-16 in shots and held a 23-17 advantage in ground balls. Lindenwood was charged with 23 turnovers, while the Falcons turned the ball over 22 times.

Pfeiffer was successful on 13-of-16 clears and Lindenwood finished 12-for-18 in clears.

Senior captain Katherine Athens finished the game with three ground balls and four of Pfeiffer’s nine draw controls. Athens and teammates Britton Muir and Ashley West each caused two turnovers with their strong defense.

Christine Hehmeyer suffered the loss in goal for Lindenwood as she allowed seven goals and made eight stops.

Pfeiffer returns to action on Saturday as they travel to Annapolis, MD to take on Bloomsburg at 5 p.m. On Sunday, the Falcons take on No. 13 New Haven in the neutral game tournament.